I’ll give you my solidly blue, pretends to be progressive states take:
If you are the father of the child you are responsible for the child. Unless you are married to the mother of the child, you default to having 0 legal custody of that child and all matters of the child’s health and welfare are up to the mother to decide. You have no paternal rights to the child, but you do have paternal obligations.
If you marry the mother you are suddenly legally part of the equation and have more rights, but unless you’re married to the mother of your child you have no legal standing.
Liability for child and spousal support do vary by state.
Gendered inequity in criminal punishment does vary by state also.
Which rights are you referencing?
My state gives unmarried fathers essential zero rights as a parent of the child. They are expected to provide financial support though.
I didn’t know what essential zero rights mean.
Like 0 rights.
I’ll give you my solidly blue, pretends to be progressive states take:
If you are the father of the child you are responsible for the child. Unless you are married to the mother of the child, you default to having 0 legal custody of that child and all matters of the child’s health and welfare are up to the mother to decide. You have no paternal rights to the child, but you do have paternal obligations.
If you marry the mother you are suddenly legally part of the equation and have more rights, but unless you’re married to the mother of your child you have no legal standing.
Equal Protection Clause found in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.